Combination metal-and-plastic marine hardware



Dec. 3, 1963 'r. L. FAUL 3,112,726

COMBINATION METAL-AND-PLASTIC MARINE HARDWARE Filed May a, 1962 INVENTOR. 2 /0 125 L. F6 01.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,112,726 CQMBINATION METAL-AND'PLASTHQ MARENE WARE Thomas L. Faul, Slraneateles, N.Y., assignor to Aqualvlarine Mfg. Ltd, Toronto, Gntario, Canada, a corporation of Canada Filed May 8, 1962, Ser. No. 193,254 11 Claims. (Cl. 114-218) This invention relates generally to articles of marine hardware and is especially concerned with improved constructions thereof.

While the instant invention has been primarily developed and employed as a line chock for marine deck hardware, and is illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is appreciated that the advantageous features disclosed and claimed hereinafter are capable of many varied applications, all of which are intended to be comprehended herein.

By reason of styling, durability and economy it has for some time been desired and attempted to employ plastics in articles of marine hardware. While plastics are superior to metals in some respects, such as resistance to corrosion, attractive color and appearance without finishing operations, economy, light weight, and others, plastics have not found general acceptance in the field of marine hardware primarily as lacking the strength of conventionally employed metals.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a combination metal-and-plastic structure well suited for marine hardware use, wherein the advantages of plastic are achieved and the deficiencies thereof are overcome.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a combination metal-and-plastic construction for marine hardware use wherein the attractive appearance and economy ofplastic parts is achieved by the combination thereof with metal structure affording requisite reinforcement and strength.

A specific object of the present invention resides in the provision of a hollow metal casing for securement to a supporting surface, such as the deck of a boat, and a plastic fitment conformably insertable into the casing and immovably held therein by the casing in its installed condition, with the plastic fitment extending through and beyond the casing for reinforcement thereby and utilization therewith.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective View showing an article of marine hardware of the present invention in operative association with a supporting surface, such as the deck or gunwale of a boat;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the article of FIG. 1 with the plastic components thereof shown in solid lines, and the metal part in dashed outline;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the article of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of PEG. 3 showing the article of FIG. 1, with a plastic component in an intermediate stage of assembly; and

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, an

3,112,726 Patented Dec. 3, 1963 article of hardware is there generally designated 10, and shown in FiG. 1 as being mounted on the deck or gunwale ll of a boat. The illustrated article 10 is a line chock.

The chock 10 includes a generally hollow, metal casing 12 for securement to the deck or gunwale 11, which casing retains and supports a pair of plastic fitments or inserts 13. The casing may be die-cast or otherwise formed by any suitable means, and is of elongate configuration preferably symmetrical about both'longitudinal and transverse center lines, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

More particularly, the metal component, base or casing 12 has its bottom open and is provided along opposite sides with upstanding side walls 15 in substantial parallelism with each other. Each side wall 15 may have its end portions 16 extending longitudinally outward and slightly aterally obliquely inward. The distal ends of adjacent side-wall portions 16 may be connected by a generally upstanding end wall 17.

Extending laterally across and between the upper edges of the side walls 15 is a medial top-wall portion 18. Also, a top-wall portion 19 extends across and between the upper edges or" side-wall portions 16 and 17 at each end of the casing 12. The top-wall portions 19 may each be apertured, as at 20 for receiving a fastener 21.

Located between the intermediate top-wall portion 18 and each distal top-wall portion 19 is a through opening 24. Thus, a pair of openings 24 is provided in the top of the casing 12 at longitudinally spaced locations therealong. The through openings 24 may be considered as formed in the top wall of casing 12, and extend laterally between and terminate at opposite side walls 15 of the casing.

Provided about the longitudinally outer region of each opening 24 is an upstanding casing extension or cowl 25. Each cowl 25 may consist of a pair of side members 26 of generally triangular configuration and upstanding from opposite side walls 15 as extensions thereof. The cowl side members 26 are located in laterally spaced facing relation, being spaced longitudinally from the intermediate top-wall portion 13 and proximate to a top-wallend portion 19. outer wall 27 extending from the inner end of the adjacent top-wall end portion 19 longitudinally inward and obliquely upward, laterally bridging the space between the longitudinally outer edges of a facing pair of side members 26. Thus, each cowl 25' extends partially about the longitudinally outer region of a respective opening 24-, while each cowl wall 27 partially overlies the longitudinally outer region of its adjacent opening 24.

lnteriorly of each cowl side member 26, and theadj'acent portion of side Wall 15, there may be a recess 29, best seen in FIG. 3. The recesses 29 serve to make the cowl side members 26 and adjacent portions of side walls 15 somewhat thinner, for a purpose appearing presently.

The fitments or inserts 13 may be identical, each including a lower portion 31 which may be upwardly cut away on its underside, as at 32. Each lower portion 31 is engaged in the hollow of casing 12 beneath a respective opening 24 and laterally dimensioned to conformably engage between the side walls 15. As best seen in FIG. 3, each lower fitment portion 31 extends longitudinally inward beyond its adjacent, overlying casing opening 24- to underlie the intermediate top-wall portion 18, and has its 35. The raised portion 35 of eachfitment 13- extends up ward through the longitudinally outer region of the adjacent top-wall opening 24 conformably into its cowl 25.

Each cowl further includes a longitudinally That is, each raised fitment portion 35 has its lateral surfaces conformably engageable with cowl side members 26, and has its longitudinally outer surface 36 conformably engageable with the adjacent inclined cowl wall 27.

Extending from each raised fitment portion 35 upward beyond the receiving cowl 25 is an extension, arm or finger 39 which is curved at 40' to extend generally horizontally in spaced relation over the casing top-wall portion 18, and obliquely laterally outward to terminate in a free end 41 spaced laterally from the longitudinal center line of the assembly.

The extension 39 of each fitment 13 may be formed with an obliquely downwardly and longitudinally outwardly facing shoulder 42 for snap engagement beyond theupper edge of associated cowl wall 27 upon assembly. Also, the lower portion 31 of each fitment 13 may have its upper side raised, as at 43, into the adjacent top-wall opening 24, which raised region is bounded by a longitudinally inwardly facing shoulder 44 facing toward the adjacent edge of intermediate top-wall portion 1S.

' As noted hereinbefore, the fitments 13 may be identical, and further, each fitment may be for-med as an integral unit of suitable plastic material, such as Delrin, or the like.

In assembly of the fitments 13 with the casing 12, first one fitment is inserted upward through a casing opening 24 until its lower portion 31 is conformably received between side walls 15 and its raised portion 3-5 conformably received in the associated cowl 25. The underside of lower portion 31 is then substantially flush with the bottom of casing 12.

The other fitment 13 may then be passed upward through the remaining opening 24, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4. While the last-assembled fitment 13 may be guided generally vertically upward through its receiving opening 24, this would require rather precise manipulation. It is therefore simpler and quicker to engage the oblique longitudinally inner-end edge 33 of the remaining fitment 13 with the end edge 33 of the previously assembled fitment, and thereby swing the remaining fitment into its assembled position about the abutting, oblique end edges. The remaining fitment will thereby snapengage into its assembled condition upon passage of the shoulder 42 beyond the upper edge of cowl wall 27, the plastic material of the fitments affording slight resilient deflection for this snap-engagement.

Further, as the turning action of the last-assembled fitment is slightly askew by the angularity of the abutting edges 33, and as the finger or arm 3-9 extends laterally, the casing recesses 29 permit of quick and easy assembly without jamming.

In the fully assembled condition, and especially by the aforementioned snap-engagement, it will be observed that the surface 36 of each raised portion 35 bears in wedging engagement with the interior of adjacent cowl wall 27; and further, by the oblique angle of abutting end surfaces 33, the lower fitment portions 31 are maintained in firm wedging engagement with each other and the adjacent casing side walls 15.

Obviously, the assembly is rigidly held together as a unit, the fitments 13 being substantially immovable relative to the casing 12, the side walls '15 preventing lateral movement, the intermediate top-wall portion 18 and inclined cowl walls 27 preventing upward withdrawal of the fitments, and the abutting engagement of the fitments together with the cowl walls 27 preventing longitudinal movement of the fitments. The above-described wedging coaction insures against possible looseness in the assembly. Further, the cowls 25 serve to embrace and reinforce the raised fitment portions 35, so that the fitments are efiectiwely protected by the casing against breakage in use.

While the bow chock of the illustrated embodiment may he of one hand, by reason of the extensions 39 projecting obliquely in one direction, it is appreciated that a chock of the opposite hand may also be provided by merely employing fitments having oppositely obliquely projecting extensions in the same or an identical casing 12. That is, fitments of opposite hand are interchangeable in the instant casing. Of course, a straight chock, cleat, grab rail, or other article may also be provided by employing appropriate fitments.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a marine hardware construction which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, installation and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

V 1. A combination metal-and-plastic line chock comprising an elongate generally hollow metal casing having a top wall, side walls and an open bottom; said casing being adapted for securement fast to a nether supporting surface; said top wall having a pair of longitudinally spaced through openings; a pair of metal cowls each upstanding about the distal region of a respective top-wall opening; a pair of plastic lower fitment portions conformably engaged in said casing beneath respective top-wall openings and extending longitudinally therebeyond for retention therein against upward withdrawal; a raised plastic fitment portion on each lower fitment portion conformably engaged in the respective adjacent cowl for reinforcement thereby, and a plastic fitment extension on each raised fitment portion projecting generally longitudinally inward in spaced relation over said top wall for receiving a line between said top wall and extension.

2. A combination metal-and-plastic line chock according to claim 1, said top-wall openings extending laterally to opposite casing side walls, said lower fitment portions each engaging said opposite casing side walls to laterally restrain said lower fitment portions.

3. A combination metal-and-plastic line chock according to claim I, said cowls extend-ing obliquely upward and longitudinally inward, and said lower fitment por tions extending longitudinally inward into engagement with each other beneath the top-wall region intermediate said openings, to thereby maintain said raised fitment portions against said oblique cowls.

4. A combination metal-and-plastic line chock according to claim 3, said lower fitment portions having their adjacent ends provided with oblique engaging surfaces for tight wedging of said lower and raised fitment portions in said casing and cowls.

5. A combination metal-and-plastic line chock according to claim 1, said casing and cowls being an integral unit proportioned symmetrically about longitudinal and transverse center lines.

6. A combination metal-and-plastic line chock according to claim 5, each lower fitment portion and its raised fitment portion and extension being an integral plastic unit with said extensions disposed generally obliquely and in substantial parallelism with each other.

7. A combination metal-and-plastic line chock accord ing to claim 6, said integral plastic units being substantially identical to each other.

8. A combination metal-and-plastic article of marine hardware comprising a' generally hollow metal casing having a top wall, side walls and an open bottom; said casing being adapted for securement fast to a nether supporting surface; said top wall having a through opening; a metal cowl upstanding at least partially about said opening; a plastic fitment having a lower portion conformably engaged in said casing beneath said top wall and a raised portion conformably engaged in said cowl; said fitment being retained by said casing against upward withdrawal and reinforced by said cowl; and a plastic extension on said raised fitment portion projecting beyond said cowl. 11. A combination metal and-plastic article of marine 9. A combination metal-and-plastic article of marine hardware according to claim 8, said cowl extending parhardware according to claim 8, said extension projecting tially over said opening to aid in retaining said lower and in spaced relation over said top wall for receiving a line raised fitment portions against upward withdrawal. between said top wall and extension. 5

10. A combination metal-and-plastic article of marine References Cited in the file of this Patent hardware according to claim 8, said opening extending UNITED STATES PATENTS laterally between opposite side walls, and said lower fitment portion engaging with and being laterally restrained by said opposite side walls. 1 

1. A COMBINATION METAL-AND-PLASTIC LINE CHOCK COMPRISING AN ELONGATE GENERALLY HOLLOW METAL CASING HAVING A TOP WALL, SIDE WALLS AND AN OPEN BOTTOM; SAID CASING BEING ADAPTED FOR SECUREMENT FAST TO A NETHER SUPPORTING SURFACE; SAID TOP WALL HAVING A PAIR OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED THROUGH OPENINGS; A PAIR OF METAL COWLS EACH UPSTANDING ABOUT THE DISTAL REGION OF A RESPECTIVE TOP-WALL OPENING; A PAIR OF PLASTIC LOWER FITMENT PORTIONS CONFORMABLY ENGAGED IN SAID CASING BENEATH RESPECTIVE TOP-WALL OPENINGS AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREBEYOND FOR RETENTION THEREIN AGAINST UPWARD WITHDRAWAL; A RAISED PLASTIC FITMENT PORTION ON EACH LOWER FITMENT PORTION CONFORMABLY ENGAGED IN THE RESPECTIVE ADJACENT COWL FOR REINFORCEMENT THEREBY, AND A PLASTIC FITMENT EXTENSION ON EACH RAISED FITMENT PORTION PROJECTING GENERALLY LONGITUDINALLY INWARD IN SPACED RELATION OVER SAID TOP WALL FOR RECEIVING A LINE BETWEEN SAID TOP WALL AND EXTENSION. 